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Archery - "The art of shooting with a bow and arrow"
History
Archery has historically been used in hunting and combat but has more recently become a precision sport.Whilst the exact origins of archery is unknown, some believe it dates back about 25,000 years, however all that is know for sure is that 5000 years ago the Egyptians are known to have used the bow and arrow.
Probably the most famous archer is Robin Hood with his typical bow and arrow. However throughout the world the bow and arrow would have been a common sight and one that was widely used to hunt and protect, you just need to watch any Cowboy and Indian film to see how effective the bow and arrow was as a weapon. Because of the skill involved, archery developed competitively into a sport around the world.
To bring it up to the 21st Century, Archery has never been so popular and with the Beijing Olympic Games it has grown in popularity even further. A far cry from the bow and arrow, modern bows have seen a significant change and are complex in their design and accuracy.
The modern Bow can be made of a number of different materials, each offering a range of benefits to the user. One of the most common types of modern Bow are made of fiberglass meaning they are extremely lightweight which can make using them less strenuous on the arms, they are also strong and will last for many years without fault. Alternative Bow types include the Recurve bow, this is the type of bow you would have seen being used in Beijing and are ideal for both starters and professionals alike. Recurve Bows can start from as little as £50 and can rise to over £500, the more you pay the better quality the bow will be, however there are now many good quality cheaper bows on the market which are more than adequate for archers of all levels. The best option is to set your budget and take a look to see what bow takes your interest and if possible give the different types a try.
Depending on the type of archery you wish to undertake, will depend on the type of bow you may opt for. There are two main types of Archery undertaken in the UK, these are
- Target Archery
- Field Archery
Target Archery is a highly competitive sport in which the archer has a set number of arrows in which they aim at a set target, often the target is a combination of circles with a Bullseye. The aim is to use the set number of arrows and to score as highly as possible. Target archery is for beginners and professionals and children as young as six often take up the sport and progress into being exceptional competitors.
Field Archery can be more technical, a number of targets are set up in woodland areas, true Robin Hood style, and the archer must judge the distance of the target themselves. Judging the distance incorrectly will undoubtedly mean you miss your target. Often a range of different targets are used, all different shapes and sizes.
Both types of bow can be used for Target and Field Archery and if it is Field archery that gets your interest then a lightweight bow is a must as you will be carrying it around with you throughout the day.
Once you have chosen your Bow, the next step is to select the arrows that feel best for you. There are a range of different arrows on the market, each offering something different and each will suit a different person. Arrows can start from as little as £15 for a pack of six and can be used time and time again. More professional arrows can cost in excess of 200 per pack of six, however many find that a cheaper arrow suits them better than some of the most expensive. Lastly is to decide on the length of the arrow, typically the arrow length is between 26 and 32 inch and it is down to the individual’s archery style as to which will best suit them. The best option is to take your Bow with you to your local Archery club and try a few different lengths and weight and decide which is best for yourself. Your fellow club member will be more than happy to assist you. Alternatively pop to your local archery store and give them a try before you buy.
Throughout the UK there are a number of Archery Clubs all keen to meet like minded people who share a passion for the sport. Clubs will welcome people of all ages and will cost very little to join. Furthermore for a day’s archery or to enter a competition can cost just a few pounds, making this a cheap sport to participate in. However you can also practice for free if you are lucky enough to have somewhere safe to set up a target, it is always essential to have a suitable background for stray arrows to fall safely into. This option means you can enjoy additional practice for free and will improve your skills even further.
So if you’re looking for a sport which will get you into the open countryside and is relatively cheap to get into, then archery may be exactly what you’re looking for. Take a look at our range of Bows and accessories which we have on offer and why not give it a go, were sure that you won’t look back. What’s more why not get the whole family involved as it is great to get them interested at an early age, just make sure your one step ahead, you cant have the kids showing you up.
Also get along to your local Archery Club, they often do introduction days so you have the chance to participate in a day’s archery with a qualified instructor who will be happy to show you what’s involved and you can ask any questions that may arise.
Latest Archery news
- London 2012 Olympics qualifying: Archery
- How the British team are doing and what hopefuls must do to qualify July 26th, 2010 08:40 PM
- Im Dong-Hyun, South Korea
- The 2007 Archery World Champion and a member of the South Korean team that picked up two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. Im Dong-Hyun is hoping he can win an individual medal at London 2012. July 26th, 2010 05:27 PM
- 'Blind' archer aims for 2012 gold
- South Korean archer Im Dong-Hyun can barely read the top of an optician's chart but he hopes to add to his tally of two Olympic golds in London. July 26th, 2010 04:24 PM
- Jersey name Games team for Delhi
- Jersey will send 33 competitors in eight different sports to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. July 20th, 2010 05:34 PM
- GB's Wills wins world field gold
- Great Britain's Alan Wills wins a gold medal at the World Archery Field Championships, with his nation also picking up two silvers. July 19th, 2010 11:16 AM
- Isle of Man name team for Delhi
- The Isle of Man will take its largest ever team to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi for the 2010 event in October. July 14th, 2010 04:02 PM
- Daley in GB Youth Olympics squad
- Beijing Olympian Tom Daley heads a 40-strong British team for next month's inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. July 13th, 2010 05:36 AM
- Wenlock Games site threat averted
- The future of the home of the Wenlock Olympian Games - the forerunner to the modern Olympics- is assured. July 8th, 2010 02:56 PM
- Hunt pleased with Brown inclusion
- Paralympian Danielle Brown's call-up to the England Commonwealth archery team is great for the sport, says Suffolk archer Nicky Hunt. July 8th, 2010 01:33 PM
- Eleven added to Commonwealth team
- Athletes from archery, cycling and shooting are added to the Northern Ireland team for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. July 8th, 2010 10:41 AM
- School Report Sports Day as it happens
- A minute-by-minute account of School Report Sports Day, involving hundreds of school children around the UK - and beyond. June 30th, 2010 12:21 PM
- Terry qualifies for Commonwealths
- Grantham archer Simon Terry is selected to represent England in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. June 24th, 2010 03:44 PM
- Archer Brown in historic call-up
- Paralympic gold medallist Danielle Brown is included in England's able-bodied archery squad for the Commonwealth Games. June 24th, 2010 03:15 PM
- Disabled archer eyes Delhi Games
- Disabled Welsh archer Pippa Britton hopes to be named in her country's able-bodied 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games team. June 22nd, 2010 08:57 AM
- GB archers on song for Delhi
- Great Britain's performance manager says his archers are in excellent shape ahead of the Commonwealth Games. June 11th, 2010 06:49 PM
- Hunt satisfied with Euro finish
- Suffolk archer Nicky Hunt is content with her seventh placed finish at the European Championships. June 2nd, 2010 03:05 PM
- Nesbitt sixth in European seniors
- Mark Nesbitt finishes third in the European Senior Archery Championships in Italy. May 27th, 2010 06:28 PM